Deep Waters

play them. He knew why she had shied away from a full commitment to the affair they had begun during the night. It was as Hayden Stone had warned him years ago, A woman worth wanting always demanded a great deal in return.
    Elias knew that Charity wanted more than just good sex. She wanted his soul. She wanted to assure herself that she had true power over him.
    He became aware of the cooling perspiration on his bare shoulders. The elaborate movements of Tal Kek Chara had done little to alleviate the tension he had been feeling all day.He was still aware of the edgy feeling later that evening when he found himself in Charity's kitchen. Elias saw right away that they were both going to play it cool. She was no longer intense and emotional the way she had been this morning when she had left his cottage. They were back to the easy flirtation that had characterized their relationship for the past several days.
    Just two friendly people involved in an affair. That was good, he assured himself. He wondered irritably why he did not feel incredibly relieved by the deliberately diminished tides of intensity.
    He lounged in the doorway of Charity's kitchen and surveyed the wonderland of gleaming pans, Euro-style appliances, and high-tech gadgets. The kitchen matched the rest of the cottage, which was crammed with the sophisticated furnishings Charity had brought with her when she moved to the cove.
    It was all a far cry from the stark simplicity of his own place, Elias thought. But it was oddly pleasant to watch Charity work amid her sleek, colorful surroundings.
    Absently he swirled the chardonnay in his glass. "I didn't get a chance to tell you what my lawyer, Craig Thorgood, learned about Gwendolyn Pitt and her Voyagers."
    Charity shot him a surprised glance over her shoulder before she resumed whisking soy sauce, ginger, lime juice, and sherry in a bowl. "Anything interesting?"
    "Nothing startling. Just the guru business as usual. Gwendolyn has created a company called Voyager Investments. She's the president, and Swinton is her sole employee."
    Charity paused again in her whisking and looked thoughtful. "Then the money they've taken from the cult members is out there somewhere. It might be traceable."
    Elias smiled faintly. "I think it's a safe bet that it's very traceable. I'm sure Gwendolyn and Swinton have it under close surveillance."
    "Maybe some of the Voyagers can get it back after the spaceships fail to show up tonight. I have a feeling Arlene Fenton, for one, is going to be in desperate straits once she realizes she's not bound for the stars. Newlin says she turned over everything in her bank account to the Voyagers organization."
    "It wouldn't be easy to retrieve anyone's assets without the cooperation of Pitt or Swinton. And I doubt if either of them will be inclined to cooperate."
    "They probably plan to take the money and run," Charity agreed. "Although Gwendolyn Pitt said something strange today in the grocery store."
    "What was that?"
    "Something about the entire town finding out soon that something interesting had happened tonight."
    "I don't doubt it. The only question is, why is today's date so important to her?" Elias caught the fragrance of the ginger and inhaled appreciatively. "Are you going to tell me what's on the menu?"
    "Vegetable sushi, roasted red pepper salad, and a nectarine and blueberry tart."
    "I don't believe it. You talked the store manager into stocking nori?"
    Charity smiled. "I didn't spend all those years running Truitt for nothing. I've had plenty of experience in the art of the deal."
    "I can see that the competition is heating up. This could get ugly. Or maybe I should say tasty."
    "I'm sure you'll think of something amusingly unpretentious yet elegant when it's your turn to cook. I can see you doing a dish of stunning simplicity that is infused with flavors that retain their integrity even as they enhance the other elements involved."
    "Let me guess. You've been reading food magazines, haven't you?"
    "Yep." She dropped the whisk into the sink. "I also saw the second Mrs. Pitt in the grocery store this afternoon. A touch of animosity between the first and the second. I was lucky I didn't get crushed between their shopping carts."
    "Not surprising."
    "No."
    Elias sipped his wine. "I've got to admit, I'm getting a little curious about Gwendolyn's plans."
    "Join the crowd."
    "But I'm even more curious about Rick Swinton."
    "Why the special interest in him?"
    "Because he's interested